Deal or no deal?

We’re in an era of discount overload.
They arrive almost daily, those flyers, cards and coupons offering an extra 15 or 20 percent off purchases at stores selling everything from hardware to designer handbags. My mailbox, email and even magazines are stuffed with offers of $20 off a $100 purchase, or a promise of future discounts when you spend a certain amount. Then there are the “friends and family” sales that make you feel like part of an exclusive club. But are you buying?
Do you end up owning a lot of “good deal” clothes, shoes and accessories that remain unworn, with the tags on, in your closet months later because you couldn’t resist the price?
I have started throwing the offers into a clear plastic folder that I keep in my car so when I’m on forays to the mall I can pull them out as needed. (A 30 percent discount came in handy last week when my son needed a new jacket.) But they don’t sit burning the proverbial hole in my pocket until I use them.
A trick I’ve learned from wardrobe consultants is to keep a list of things that I’m looking for, whether it’s a certain style of shoes, brand of jeans or type of coat that needs replacing. I’m less likely to grab “the deal” if it’s not on my list, even though I might be tempted by all those discounts.
So what kind of deal gets your attention?